Hypophosphataemia in the metabolic syndrome. Gender differences in body weight and blood glucose

Objective: We examined gender differences in the clustering of risk factors , especially regarding the possible role of serum phosphate (S-P) in obese patients who participated in a 4 week education programme to reduce their e xcess risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Results: Significantly higher body mass index (BMI) and concentrations of S -P and high density lipids (S-HDL) in serum were found in women (n = 1272) than in men (n = 993). In women, BMI was inversely correlated with S-P at t he time of admission. Also in women (but not in men), changes in BMI and S- P over 1 or 11/2 y were inversely correlated. In men (but not in women), S- P level was inversely correlated with age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), d iastolic blood pressure (DBP) and blood glucose at the time of admission. I n women, S-P increased and DBP decreased, in addition to weight decrease ov er both 6 months and 11/2 y or 1y. In women (but not in men), significantly higher age, S-P, S-chol, S-TG, S-urate, SEP and DBP values were found with the highest vs the lowest decile of S-Ca. Conclusion: We conclude that higher S-P and S-Ca levels may contribute to t he difference in metabolic disturbances occurring in obesity, seen in women vs men.